--- In [email protected], "dgunn111" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I need to replace both axles in my 2004 Intrepid. It's at the shop. > They want $467. I checked at the parts store and new axles are only > $69 each. I have never messed with front wheel drive axles before. Can > anyone tell me step-by-step how to change them? Or if anyone has done > it themselves and has some advice....
I find it a bit difficult to believe that the car needs new axles. My last Intrepid was a '98 with 140,000 miles on it and the axles were fine as of a year ago. As with every other car I've ever had, I never had an axle problem except for one that had already been replaced at one point. Funny how some axles shred their boots to smithereens, and the cars I drive never have a problem. But, as far as replacement goes, it shouldn't be very difficult at all although I cannot say that I have done it to an LH car. You will need a large (32mm?) socket and a big breaker bar or quality impact gun to get the hub nut off. If you use the breaker bar, you will need someone to hold the brakes for you to keep the axle from spinning as you reef on the bolt. Then, the next trick I have to offer depends on how the lower ball joint is held in there. If it is like the Chryslers of the past, you remove a "pinch bolt" that attaches the hub to the lower ball joint and pry the two apart. It is difficult and disconnecting the sway bar will make it much much easier. Its easier to disconnect the hub from the strut, but that will mess up your wheel alignment. Get the axle out of the hub/bearing assembly by pulling the strut/knuckle assembly away from the car (two people makes it a lot easier) and then pull the axle out of the transmission. Re-assembling the lower ball joint is a pain for the first-timer.... just FYI. Not an EASY job for most people, but it is certainly do-able. ------------------------------------ Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
